There's another way to look at this Rahm thing...

[Jackpine Radical]

The Chief of Staff is the President's chief enforcer and hatchet man. He takes care of little jobs that the President doesn't want to leave his fingerprints on. It's not a policy-creation position (although the CoS has continuous opportunities to have an informal say).

As LBJ would have said, Rahm is the kind of guy you want inside the tent pissing out rather than outside the tent pissing in.

So in one way, this appointment tends to neutralize Rahm as a Neocon. To paraphrase somebody, "Keep your friends close--and keep the friends you don't trust even closer."

[rcrush]

1. Cant we just freak out?

I dont know how to feel any other way.

[greendog]

2. That's my thought.

He gives up his position in the House Leadership.

He can't be promoted to the Senate.

He has to operate "under the thumb" of the President.

[MercutioATC]

3. One thing about Rahm is he's loyal.

You might not like his policy stances, but he's rabidly loyal. This will be a position where he makes no policy decisions, but all of his energy will still be used...to support the goals of the White House.

I think he's a great choice.